From international law firm Arnold & Porter LLP comes a timely column that provides views on current regulatory and legislative topics that weigh on the minds of today’s physicians and health care executives.Just hours ago, President Obama signed into law the “Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015,” which permanently repeals the long-maligned Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) payment formula.
Author: Healio ophthalmology
VIDEO: ‘Masters of the Universe’ brings together industry leaders in ophthalmology
SAN DIEGO — At the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit here, James V. Mazzo discusses a recurring panel discussion he moderates called “Masters of the Universe,” which brings together industry leaders in ophthalmology to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing large ophthalmology companies in the current financial and regulatory atmosphere.
Pearson: Valeant/Bausch + Lomb innovation pathway not mired by preconceived budgets, organic growth demands
SAN DIEGO – Valeant approaches innovation with the concept “the best idea wins” vs. the approach of other companies that their projects “are better no matter what,” said J. Michael Pearson, chairman and CEO of Valeant Pharmaceuticals, during his plenary talk, here at the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit.Innovation is not created in large companies, he said. Pearson believes that the pathway to innovation is through universities, start-up companies and practicing physicians.
Financial environment remains strong for ophthalmology innovation
SAN DIEGO – Financial activity in the ophthalmology industry is still robust but appears more like 2013 than the strong growth seen in 2014, according to a speaker here. William J. Link, PhD, managing director of Versant Ventures, expressed optim…
MIGS gaining acceptance
SAN DIEGO — Micro-incisional and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery procedures are gaining wide acceptance with cataract surgeons, according to Eric D. Donnenfeld, MD. In his overview of MIGS at the Ophthalmology Innovation Summit, Donnenfeld said that more surgeons and patients are considering MIGS now because of established safety and improved efficacy in real-world experience compared with initial clinical trials.
Surgeon reports positive outcomes of retinal prosthesis in two patients
BASSANO DEL GRAPPA, Italy — The first two patients implanted with the Argus II retinal prosthesis at a hospital in Camposampiero, Italy, are doing well and are happy with the results, according to Marzio Chizzolini, MD, head of the ophthalmology department.The first implantation of the Argus II (Second Sight Medical Products) was performed in Italy in 2011 at the University of Pisa. Following CE mark approval and entry into the market, the implant has been used in 11 patients in Europe — six in Italy and five in Germany.
Surgery should be considered for anti-VEGF non-responders
BASSANO DEL GRAPPA, Italy — When patients with age-related macular degeneration do not respond to anti-VEGF therapy, even after switching to a second drug, they should be promptly referred to a vitreoretinal surgeon to evaluate potential surgical options, according to one specialist. “Persisting with a pharmacological therapy that doesn’t work could rapidly lead to irreversible photoreceptor damage and hinder the possibility to successfully manage these patients surgically,” Ezio Cappello, MD, said at the Bassano Ophthalmology Meeting.
FDA approves AcrySof IQ ReSTOR +2.5 D IOL for cataract patients
Alcon received FDA approval for the AcrySof IQ ReSTOR +2.5 D IOL, according to a Novartis press release.The multifocal lens is approved for patients who are undergoing cataract surgery and seek correction of near, intermediate and distance vision at th…
Supreme Court again holds key to future of Affordable Care Act: Preparing for the fallout
From international law firm Arnold & Porter LLP comes a timely column that provides views on current regulatory and legislative topics that weigh on the minds of today’s physicians and health care executives.In late June, the Supreme Court will issue a decision in the case of King v. Burwell. The key question before the Justices is whether consumers can receive tax credits, or premium subsidies, to buy health insurance in Exchanges run by the federal government.
Specialist discusses suboptimal results of anti-VEGF therapy, switching treatment in non-responders
BASSANO DEL GRAPPA, Italy — Variable results, inferior to what could be expected from anti-VEGF therapy for age-related macular degeneration, are observed in the real world of clinical practice, according to one specialist.In addition, criteria for classifying non-responders and switching them to another anti-VEGF drug should be clarified.
Patients with FM have smaller stromal nerve thickness, lower corneal sub-basal plexus nerve density
Women with fibromyalgia had a thinner average stromal nerve thickness and decreased corneal sub-basal plexus nerve density per square millimeter compared with healthy control participants, and corneal confocal microscopy could be a useful marker for pa…
VIDEO: Positive results from DALK procedures in keratoconus patients
BASSANO DEL GRAPPA, ITALY – At the Bassano Ophthalmology meeting, Luigi Fontana, MD, discusses findings on a 10-year study on deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) performed in keratoconus patients that was published in the American Journal of Ophthalmology.
Alimera receives marketing authorization for Iluvien in Poland
Alimera Sciences has been granted marketing authorization for Iluvien by the Office for Registration of Medicinal Products, Medical Devices and Biocidal Products in Poland, according to a press release.Iluvien (fluocinolone acetonide intravitreal impla…
Surgeon: Time not right for integration of femtosecond cataract surgery in public sector
BASSANO DEL GRAPPA, Italy — Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery has not, to date, achieved results that would justify its introduction in the public sector in Italy, according to one surgeon.“It would bring no advantages to our public health system. Evidence of the cost-effectiveness of this procedure is lacking. Costs are exorbitantly high, and clinical quality improvements are not yet significant compared to the results of conventional phaco. These parameters need to change before we even discuss its introduction into public hospitals,” Alessandro Galan, MD, told Ocular Surgery News at the (Read more...)
Senate passes bill to repeal SGR
By a vote of 92 to 8, the U.S. Senate on Tuesday passed a bipartisan bill that repeals the SGR, a key factor in annual Medicare physician payment updates, and replaces it with a merit-based payment system.The bill also preserves and extends the Children’s Health Care Program.
VIDEO: Speaker highlights advancements in femtosecond laser cataract surgery and refractive surgery
BASSANO DEL GRAPPA, ITALY – At the Bassano Ophthalmology meeting, Simonetta Morselli, MD, discusses various femtosecond laser cataract surgery and refractive surgery procedures, including the small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) procedure.
Autologous choroidal transplantation may lead to successful results in select AMD cases
BASSANO DEL GRAPPA, Italy — Autologous choroidal transplantation may lead to successful outcomes in select patients with age-related macular degeneration who are refractory to anti-VEGF therapy, according to one surgeon.“Cases of large subretinal hemorrhage and RPE rupture involving the fovea or patients who do not respond to anti-VEGF with any of the available drugs [may benefit],” Grazia Pertile, MD, said at the Bassano Ophthalmology Meeting.
VIDEO: Update on femtosecond cataract surgery
BASSANO DEL GRAPPA, ITALY – Roberto Bellucci, MD, discusses the current advancements and problems of femtosecond cataract surgery at the Bassano Ophthalmology meeting.
CMS acts to limit impact of payment cut while awaiting Senate action
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has informed providers of methods that will be used to handle payment claims until the U.S. Senate votes on a bill to repeal the Sustainable Growth Rate, a key factor in annual Medicare physician payment u…
Publication Exclusive: DMEK will eventually show superiority in hands of expert surgeons
The Eye Bank Association of America was founded in 1961 with 25 member eye banks. Today, 78 member eye banks harvest approximately 120,000 corneas per year in a high-quality, highly regulated and expensive undertaking. With this network of eye banks an…